Non-adhesive compression matting system and method for framing and archiving a display item

ABSTRACT

A matting system for framing, archiving and displaying display items having a display board with window openings, a carrier board with window openings in line with and slightly larger than the window openings of the display board. The carrier board having hinged doors, which fit into the window openings and a backer board which holds the doors of the carrier board closed so as to maintain the display item between the door and a frame extension created between the dissimilar sized openings of the display board and the carrier board.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of display apparatus for the easy andrapid archival matting of display items in an archival matting system tobe used in picture frames and the like, and more particularly to theprotection and retention of multiple desired items in the mattingsystem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The support of display items in multiple windows of a mat to be placedin a picture frame is accomplished by making the windows of the matslightly smaller that the materials to be displayed, and attaching thedisplay items by adhesive tape or glue to the rear of the mat so thatthe display items do not shift within the window of the mat. Other priorart methods of securing display items provide for corner mounts oradhesive attachments to a backing board. Such mounting of display itemsis undesirable especially when the materials are valuable collectiblesthat may be damaged or suffer a loss in their value due to bending thedisplay items so as to position the display items in the corner mountsor risking damage to the display item when trying to remove the itemfrom the mat when it has been adhered to the mat by an adhesive.Currently, the displaying items such as stamps, currency, postcards orother items of interests, without the risk of damage, is not convenientor possible with traditional techniques.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method ofsupporting a number of displayed items without the use of adhesives,tape or corner mounts, each of which have the potential to damage thedisplayed items.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of safelydisplaying sealed collectable items, such as sports related memorabiliacards, stamps or coins, the originality, rarity and value of which havebeen professionally rated or “graded” by a professional gradingservices, which, upon grading, are placed into sealed holders, so as tomaintain the value established by the grading service.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a systemthat is easily and entirely reversible, so that the display items may beeasily changed or replaced without any damage to either the display itemor the matting system.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a mattingsystem, which does not require any adhesives to secure the display itemsor any undue bending of the display items, which degrades the value ofthe display item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The features and advantages of the present invention are achieved byproviding a matting system for placement in a picture frame capable ofstoring at least one display item defined by, but not limited topost-cards, sports memorabilia cards, philatelic, coins, currency orother axially flat collectibles which can be displayed and removedwithout the danger of damage to the display item that is associated withcurrent display methods.

The matting system of the first embodiment is comprised of a display mathaving a window for viewing the display item and a carrier mat having atleast one window that is in line with and larger than the window of thedisplay mat, the carrier mat being adhered to the display mat, thusestablishing a small frame extension around the window of the carriermat. The carrier mat is also provided with a door substantially the samesize as that of the window of the carrier mat, the door, when closedlightly compresses the display item against the frame extensionestablished by aligning of the windows of the display and carrier mats.The doors being hinged to the carrier mat by an archival hinge materialand provided with a cutout or flap so as to provide an easy means bywhich the doors can be opened or closed without deforming the mats.

In a second embodiment of the instant invention the doors of the carriermat are adhesively affixed to a backer mat. The doors being affixed tothe backer mat in line with the windows of the carrier mat so that thedisplay items are held by a light compression between the doors and theframe extension. The advantage being that by removing the backer mat,all of the display items can be easily accessible without subjecting thedisplay items to bending that would be present with traditional mats.

In a third embodiment of the instant invention, the display mat isadhered to the front of a piece of double length mat material, and athin laminate film is adhered to the back of the mat material. Thecarrier mat and the backer mat being formed from the mat material bycutting the mat material without disturbing the laminate film so thatthe backer mat can be folded down against the back of the carrier mat inorder to maintain the doors of the carrier mat in a locked position. Thedoors being formed by cutting the mat material and the laminate film onthree sides where only the mat is cut on the fourth side so that thelaminate film serves as hinge material for the doors. Such embodimentprovides for the assembly of the matting system from two pieces ofmatting.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the matting system isassembled from a single piece of mat material in which a thin laminatefilm is adhesively affixed to both sides of the mat material forming athree layered mat being sandwiched between two layers of laminate film.The matting material being precision or die-cut so as to provide thematting system with a display mat, a carrier mat, a backer mat anddoors, all hinged to the mat material by the laminate film in order forthe matting system to be folded onto itself from one piece of matmaterial.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the matting system inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the display board having hinged doors.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the display board having hinged doors attachedby the hinge material.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention where the doors are directly attached to the backer board.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention where a thin laminate film is adhesively secured to the backof the carrier board.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the third embodiment of the assembled mattingsystem.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention where both sides of a single piece of mat material are layeredwith a thin laminate film to form the matting system.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the fourth embodiment of the assembled mattingsystem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, there are illustratedtherein various exemplary embodiments of the matting system made inaccordance with the teachings of the instant invention. These exemplaryembodiments should not be construed as limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1 and 1A, the matting system is generally denoted byreference numeral 10, which is comprised of a standard frame 4, wherethe viewing area is covered with a transparent material, a display mat3A having at least one window 7, where a display item 5 is viewedtherethrough, a carrier mat 2A having at least one window 7A in linewith the at least one window of the display mat, where the window of thedisplay mat 3A is smaller than the window of the carrier mat 2A so as toform a frame extension (not labeled) around the display item 5 and abacker mat 1A. The carrier mat having hinged doors 6A, along one side ofthe window so as to contain the display item within the window and thedoor 6A. The backer mat 1A maintaining the doors in a closed position.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, the carrier mat 2A is shown having a set ofhinged doors 6A along one side of the window 7A. The doors 6A beingsubstantially the same size as that of the window 7A so that thedisplayed item 5 is compressed between the door 6A and the frameextension, which is created around the window when the display mat 3A issecured to the carrier mat 2A.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the carrier mat 2A, in perspective side view,shows a hinge material 8A, which is attached to the carrier mat 2A alongthe said side of the window 7A and one side of the door so as tofacilitate inserting and removing the display item 5. The hinge material8A is comprised of a gummed archival tape or a pressure sensitive linentape. The hinge material can also be comprised of any non-porous film ornon-porous polyethylene using an archival grade adhesive or an acrylicbased adhesive so as to protect the integrity of the display item 5 forlong-term storage and display, without degrading the value of thedisplay item 5. Archival grade or non-decaying grade adhesives are ofparticular importance to the matting system of the instant inventionsince the display items 5 have particular value in their respectivefields (i.e. cards, stamps or coins) and placing such items near anadhesive which decays or creeps over a period of time potentiallysubjects the display item to devaluation. FIG. 1B also shows a cutout orflap 10, which facilitates the opening or closing of the hinged doorwithout disturbing the display item. The cutout or flap 10 is precisionor die-cut so as to not deform the hinged door. This ensures that thedisplay item is not warped due to any manufacturing errors in assemblingor manufacturing the matting system.

Referring to a second embodiment of the instant invention as shown inFIGS. 2 and 2A, the matting system as shown is comprised of a displaymat 3B, a carrier mat 2B, and a backer mat 1B. The second embodiment ofFIG. 2 is substantially similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-1B, exceptthat the doors are not hinged to the carrier mat 2B, but adhesivelyattached to the backer mat 1B. As with the adhesives of the firstembodiment, all adhesives used throughout the second embodiment and theinstant invention as a whole are archival or acrylic adhesives whichwill not degrade the value of the display item 5 if the display item isleft in the matting system for long term storage. The attached doors 6Bare aligned with the at least one window 7 of the carrier mat 2B, sothat when the two mats are aligned, the attached doors “dock” with thewindows 7 of the carrier mat 2B so as to retain the display item 5within the window. The exploded side view of the matting system as shownin FIG. 2A, shows the display mat 3B, the carrier mat 2B and the doors6B on the backer mat 1B.

In regards to the first and second embodiments of the instant inventionas shown in FIGS. 1-2A, the display mat can be made from a thin metal.The metal mat being adhesively secured to the carrier mat. The metaldisplay mat allows for the display of collectable display items, whichare sealed in flat plastic cases without having to place the mattingsystem in a frame. Viewing the sealed collectible through both a layerof glass and plastic causes distortion of the display item. Ideally onlyone transparent layer of protection, either glass or plastic is desiredin order to clearly view the collectible. The use of a metal display matalso provides security for the display item since the collectible cannotbe removed without bending or damaging the item, thus preventing theftof the display item because the display item would be rendered valuelessdue to its damaged condition while trying to be removed.

Referring to the third embodiment of the instant invention as shown inFIGS. 3 and 3A, the matting system as shown is comprised of a displaymat 3C, a carrier mat 2C and a backer mat 1C. The carrier mat 2C, thebacker mat 3C and the doors 6C are formed from a single piece of matmaterial where a thin laminate film 9 is adhesively secured to the backof the mat material so that the carrier and backer mats are fabricatedfrom a single piece of mat material. The mat material and the laminatefilm are cut on three sides so as to form the window 7C and the doors6C, where a fourth side is only cut through the mat without cutting thelaminate film. The mat material is again cut without cutting thelaminate film, which forms the carrier mat and backer mat. The thinlaminate film serving as hinge material between the carrier mat 2C andthe backer mat 1C, and the hinged doors 6C on the carrier mat 2C. Thedisplay mat being adhesively secured to the carrier mat.

Referring to the fourth embodiment of the instant invention as shown inFIGS. 4 and 4A, the matting system as shown is comprised of a displaymat 3D, a carrier mat 2D and backer mat 1D sections, which are assembledand manufactured from a single piece of mat material. The display mat3D, carrier mat 2D, backer mat 3D and the doors 6D are formed from thesingle piece of mat material and a thin laminate film 9 is adhesivelysecured to the front and back of the mat material. The mat material andlaminate films are cut to fabricate the windows of the display matsection 3D. The mat material is then cut on the carrier mat section 2Dthrough both layers of the laminate film on three sides so as to formthe window 7D and the doors 6D, where a fourth side is only cut throughthe mat and one layer of laminate film. The one layer of laminate filmserving as the hinge material of the door. The mat material and onelayer of laminate film is again cut so as to form a hinge sectionbetween the display mat and carrier mat sections where the display matfolds in front of the carrier mat section. The mat material and onelayer of laminate film are lastly cut without cutting the third laminatefilm on the opposite side of the mat material so as to form anotherhinge section between the carrier mat section and the backer mat sectionso that the backer mat section folds in back of the carrier mat section.

As described above, the matting system of the instant invention providesa number of advantages, some of which have been described above andothers, which are inherent in the instant invention. Also, modificationsmay be proposed to the matting system 10 without departing from theteachings herein such as changing the shape and orientation of thewindows to specifically suit a certain type of display item or providinga bevel, a decorative cut-out border or a raised edge along the edge ofthe windows on the display board. Accordingly, the scope of theinvention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanyingclaims.

1. A non-adhesive compression matting system for framing, archiving anddisplaying display items in a frame, comprising: a carrier mat having atleast one window and a display mat having an at least one window smallerthan the window of the carrier mat, the display mat being adhered to thecarrier mat so that the window of the display mat is in-line with thewindow in the carrier mat; and a frame extension, being establishedaround the window of the carrier mat by the smaller window of thedisplay mat relative to the carrier mat; and a display item positionedin the window of the carrier mat; and a backer mat positioned behind thecarrier mat.
 2. The compression matting system as defined in claim 1wherein a door having a flap, the door being substantially the size ofthe window of the carrier mat, and being in a hinged relationship withan edge of the window of the carrier mat, so that the door may be openedand closed, wherein the closed door holds the display item bycompressing the edges of the displayed item against the frame extension.3. The compression matting system as defined in claim 1 wherein a dooris adhesively affixed to the backer mat, indexed to, and in line with,the window of the carrier mat so that the door holds the display item bycompressing the edges of the display item against the frame extension.4. The compression matting system as defined in claim 1, wherein a thinlaminate film is adhered to the back of the carrier mat and the windowin the carrier mat is die-cut completely through the carrier mat and thelaminate film on three sides where the fourth side is only cut throughthe carrier mat leaving the laminate film in tact such that the laminatefilm forms the hinge between the door and the carrier mat.
 5. Thecompression matting system as defined in claim 4, wherein the carriermat is die-cut along a top edge so that the laminate film forms a hingebetween the carrier mat and the backer mat so as to hold the doors ofthe carrier mat in a closed position.
 6. The compression matting systemas defined in claim 1, wherein the display mat, the carrier mat and thebacker mat are formed from a single piece of mat material, the matmaterial being sandwiched between two layers of thin laminate film. 7.The compression matting system as defined in claim 6, wherein the matmaterial is die-cut through two layers to form three equidistant matsections whereby the display mat section is folded in front of thecarrier mat and the backer mat is folded in back of the carrier mat,where the thin laminate film forms a hinge between the mats.
 8. Thecompression matting system as defined in claim 1 wherein the display matis a metal material.
 9. The compression matting system as defined inclaim 2, wherein the hinge is comprised of gummed archival tape.
 10. Thecompression matting system as defined in claim 2, wherein the hinge iscomprised of pressure sensitive linen tape.
 11. The compression mattingsystem as defined in claim 2, wherein the hinge is comprised of anon-porous film with an archival grade adhesive.
 12. The compressionmatting system as defined in claim 2, wherein the hinge is comprised ofnon-woven polyethylene and adhered using an acrylic adhesive.
 13. Thecompression matting system as defined in claim 2, wherein the hinge iscomprised of an acid-free paper adhered with wheat starch, rice starchor a synthetic methyl-cellulose type paste.
 14. The compression mattingsystem as defined in claim 1, wherein a window edge in the display matis cut on a bevel.
 15. A method of making a non-adhesive compressionmatting system for framing, archiving and displaying display items in aframe, comprising: providing a carrier mat having at least one windowand a display mat having an at least one window smaller than the windowof the carrier mat; adhering the display mat to the carrier mat so thatthe window of the display mat is in-line with the window in the carriermat so as to establish a frame extension around the window of thecarrier mat created by the smaller window of the display mat relative tothe window of the carrier mat; and inserting a display item in thewindow of the carrier mat; and providing a backer mat positioned behindthe carrier mat.
 16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein a dooris provided having a flap, the door being substantially the size of thewindow of the carrier mat, and being hinged with an edge of the windowof the carrier mat, so that the door may be opened and closed, whereinthe closed door holds the display item by compressing the edges of thedisplayed item against the frame extension.
 17. The method as defined inclaim 15, wherein a door is adhesively affixed to the backer mat,indexed to, and in line with, the window of the carrier mat so that thedoor holds the display item by compressing the edges of the display itemagainst the frame extension.
 18. The method as defined in claim 15,wherein a thin laminate film is adhered to the back of the carrier matand the window in the carrier mat is die-cut completely through thecarrier mat and the laminate film on three sides where the fourth sideis only cut through the carrier mat leaving the laminate film in tactsuch that the laminate film forms the hinge between the door and thecarrier mat.
 19. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the carriermat is die-cut along a top edge so that the laminate film forms a hingebetween the carrier mat and the backer mat so as to hold the doors ofthe carrier mat in a closed position.
 20. The method as defined in claim15, wherein the display mat, the carrier mat and the backer mat areformed from a single piece of mat material, the mat material beingsandwiched between two layers of thin laminate film.
 21. The method asdefined in claim 20, wherein the mat material is die-cut through twolayers to form three equidistant mat sections whereby the display matsection is folded in front of the carrier mat and the backer mat isfolded in back of the carrier mat, where the thin laminate film forms ahinge between the mats.
 22. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein thedisplay mat is a metal material.
 23. The method as defined in claim 16,wherein the hinge is comprised of gummed archival tape.
 24. The methodas defined in claim 16, wherein the hinge is comprised of pressuresensitive linen tape.
 25. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein thehinge is comprised of a non-porous film with an archival grade adhesive.26. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the hinge is comprised ofnon-woven polyethylene and adhered using an acrylic adhesive.
 27. Themethod as defined in claim 16, wherein the hinge is comprised of anacid-free paper adhered with wheat starch, rice starch or a syntheticmethyl-cellulose type paste.
 28. The method as defined in claim 1,wherein a window edge in the display mat is cut on a bevel.